Feature
K-12 Education Programs at JMOF-FIU
W
ith more than 155 ethnic groups represented in local schools, it’s no wonder Florida is often called an ethnic melting pot. JMOF-FIU depicts the history, past and present, of Floridian Jews’ involvement in all aspects of the development of our state, while maintaining the rich traditions and customs of their heritage. It is an inspirational story for students of all backgrounds and cultures, as the thousands of participants who visit us on field trips can attest. They learn of the triumphs and challenges of one ethnic group as a universal example of every family’s immigration experience. The tour begins with a powerful introduction about the site of the museum, located in two restored buildings that were once synagogues for Miami Beach’s first Jewish congregation, built at a time when land deed restrictions prevented Jews from owning property just a few blocks north of the buildings. This provides the jumping off point for discussing topics of discrimination, prejudice, bigotry and how each student can play a role in ensuring a more tolerant society. “We have a two-fold mission
with our youth tours,” says Chaim Lieberperson, education manager. “One is to relate the story of the Jewish people in Florida from 1763 to the present and the other is to highlight the universal tendencies of all ethnic or minority groups. Since we all came from somewhere else, our ancestors all experienced very similar challenges of retaining tradition while moving to a new country and trying to fit in and be a part of the modern scene in America.” The museum experience is enhanced with a scavenger hunt, film and lesson plans for each of the changing art and history exhibits. The visit to JMOF-FIU often inspires the students to ask questions at home about their own family background – where did we come from, do we have any photographs of our ancestors, how did our family make a living in the “old country” and what customs did we maintain from there? At the end of the tour, students are presented a guest pass to return with their families, and many do, as well as teachers who book tours annually – proving that we make a real impact on the thousands of youth who visit JMOF-FIU each year.
Student Creative Writing Contest – Deadline November 15 To help expand our reach to students beyond the museum walls, we offer an annual contest based on the themes in our exhibits, open to students throughout the state. This year’s contest is in conjunction with our exhibit, Growers, Grocers & Gefilte Fish on Florida Jews in the food industry. In order to gain a better understanding of the role of food in passing down cultures and traditions, we ask students in grades 6-12 to submit a creative writing piece using the following prompt: “What foods spell ‘tradition’ in your home and why? Describe a meal you shared with family and/or friends that has special meaning for you and tell why was it significant.” Cash prizes are awarded for the winners. The complete contest details and application form can be downloaded from our website under the Education tab. All submissions must be received by mail or delivery by Friday, November 15, 2013, 5 p.m. For more contest information or to book a school tour, contact our Education Manager at 786-972-3187 or education@jewishmuseum.com.
TILES | Newsletter of the Jewish Museum of Florida – FIU | October 2013
5